Lyttelton Port has lifted its emergency status after February's magnitude 6.3 earthquake, resuming normal shipments today and turning to the task of repairing the damage.
The February 22 quake caused significant damage to the port's facilities, but core services resumed for limited operations within four days.
"We're at the stage where we can end our emergency status and get down to the task of planning for the long-term rehabilitation of damaged port facilities and for the further development of the port," port chief executive Peter Davie said.
"This rapid recovery is a major achievement, especially when many of our staff, customers and contractors had their own stressful problems to deal with."
The first export shipment of coal left the port today, and normal container-line services had resumed.
The port was just streets away from the epicentre of the shallow earthquake, which added to damage and disruption caused by the original quake in September last year.
"We have a deep awareness of our responsibility to contribute to the recovery of Christchurch by keeping goods and commodities moving," Mr Davie said.
"It's not only jobs for our staff that we need to protect, but also jobs of others in the Canterbury region. Canterbury needs a healthy, growing port."
Mr Davie also expressed sympathy for Japan following the massive earthquake and tsunami on Friday.
